Experiences of Racial Discrimination: Qualitative Findings from Injured New Zealand Migrants

Racism is a recognised determinant of health internationally and in New Zealand (NZ). Racism is instantiated through racial discrimination, including discriminatory attitudes and practices. Associations between racial discrimination and unfavourable health-related experiences and outcomes have been reported for specific groups in NZ, including for Māori (the Indigenous people of NZ) and for those of Asian and Pacific ethnicities. However, less appears to be known about NZ migrants’ (those defined as non-NZ born) experiences of racial discrimination. This paper reports injured NZ migrants’ experiences of racial discrimination through qualitative analyses of free-text responses to a set of racism-related questions within the ‘Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study 10 Years On’ project. Participants reported experiences of racial discrimination in a rangeof contexts, including at work, in public, in housing-related contexts(in neighbourhoods and whilst seeking housing) and in healthsettings. Experiences comprised physical violence and intimidatingbehaviour, racially motivated verbal abuse, discrimination based onappearance or communication, stereotyping, and having their “NewZealand-ness” challenged. Reported impacts of racial discriminationincluded reduced work opportunities and feeling ‘othered.’ Migrants’ experiences of racial discrimination (across a range ofcontexts) are potentially underpinned by structural racism in NZsociety. This can affect migrants’ health and well-being throughcompromised socio-economic opportunities (and by corollary,reduced access to resources) and potentially, lower engagement withsocietal supports and services. We call for similar researchinternationally to investigate potential links between experiences andimpacts of racial discrimination and future engagement with societalsupports, including health and injury services.